Bethesda Softworks and id Software have released patch 1.31 for Quake Champions, which appears to be the game's final content update. The patch notes indicate that no further content updates are planned as the game enters a new phase. This marks the end of an era for Quake Champions, which first launched in early access in 2017 before its 1.0 release in 2022.
The most significant change is the transition from a free-to-play model, adopted in 2018, to a paid title. Quake Champions will now be exclusively available on Steam for $9.99. Players who previously owned the game on Steam will receive the new paid version at no additional cost. Those who accessed the game through the Microsoft Store must link their Bethesda.net account to their Steam account to transfer their access, though this linking service will only be available until October 7.
As part of this shift, 30 seasons of past content, all champions, and most vanity items have been unlocked for all players. Battle passes and all in-app purchases have been removed. The update also includes general fixes to improve game stability and introduces a callvote system allowing players to vote to kick cheaters or disruptive players, with a limit of three votes per match. To improve matchmaking times, the number of data centers has been reduced.
This transition occurs amidst significant restructuring within Microsoft's Xbox division, which acquired ZeniMax Media, the parent company of Bethesda and id Software, in 2021. Recent months have seen widespread layoffs and studio closures across Xbox. Reports indicate that id Software itself has been substantially impacted by these layoffs, with a significant portion of its coding staff reportedly cut, a notable development given the studio's foundational role in game technology, including the id Tech engine.